Bundled Payments for Joint Replacement Surgery: Orthopedics Grand Rounds with VSSL Director

VSSL Director Dr. Joshua Liao recently presented the University of Washington Department of Orthopedics Grand Rounds, delivering a presentation titled, "Bundled Payments for Joint Replacement: A Use Case for Value-Based Payment Reform" focused on the following objectives:

• Defining value in health care and value-based payment reform

• Describing key features of bundled payments as a prominent reform

• Reviewing key questions and evidence for joint replacement bundles

• Discussing emerging issues related to joint replacement bundles

One emerging issue raised by Dr. Liao of particular relevance to joint replacement and orthopedic surgery: the interaction between value-based payment models (e.g., bundled payments) and site-of-service policy changes (e.g., shift in allowing joint replacement to be performed in outpatient or ambulatory surgical center settings).

As Dr. Liao noted in his presentation, this interaction has both potential benefits and drawbacks, and is worth careful consideration by policymakers and practice leaders working on orthopedic surgical care.

Watch Dr. Liao's full presentation here. Learn more about Dr. Liao's work in bundled payment and other value-based payment and delivery reform here.